Telegraph transmitting instrument



w. D. COOPER TELEGRAPH TRANSMITTING INSTRUMENT June 14, 1927. I1,632,273

Filed July 9, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 :2?" .j i .29 y 27 2a Z8 W D. COQPERTELEGRAPH TRANSMITTING INSTRUMENT Filed- July 9} 1923 2 Sheets-SheetJune y Patented June 14, 1927. l

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE].

WILLIAM D. COOPER, OF WHITE BEAR, MINNESOTA, ASSTGNOBOF FORTY-NINE TWO;

HUNDREDTI-IS' TO HENRY WEILLER FOBTY-N-INE TTVO-HUNDREDTHS TO ROBERT 0.SWEET, BOTI-I OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

TELEGRAPH TRANSMITTING INSTRUMENT.

Application filed July 9, 1923., Serial No. 650,345.

This invention relates to improvements in telegraph transmittinginstruments of the type having a series of keys adapted to bemanipulated, to send'ditlcrent combinations of impulses.

As is well known, code combinations of short and long impulses, or dotsand dashes, are commonly employed in commercial telegraphy. The codesnow in use include a series oi dots numbering up to six and it is thesecombinations of short impulses which. are extremely difficult to sendrapidly and accurately with thecommon type 01 .teles graplrkey.Operators are unable to send messages as fast as they can receive thembecause of human limitationsupon the ability to rapidlyvibrate a key;Further, the send-; ing of dotsignals renders the operation of atransmitting instrument extremely i'ati:v guing. Mistakes in sendingmessages are al so largely due to inaccuracies in sending c0mbinationsof short impulses. It is true that machines have heretofore been devisedfor sending a series of impulses upona single manipulation of a key, butas far as applicant is aware, none of these attempts have beensuccessful from a commercial stand point because the machines are eithertoo complicated and expensive and not adapted for use with present daymethods or are defective in that. the messages transmitted thereby areindistinct. The latter defect is brought about by'a failure to provideproper means for firmly closing the circuit in a mechanically operatedswitch.

It is my object to obviate these defects by providing a simple andeflicient instrument whereby any required combination of dots for thecommonly used codes may be sent by a single manipulation of a key.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a telegraphtransmitting instrument by which messages may be sent at a greatlyincreased rate of speed, with greater :accuracy, and at the same timewith less effort on the oart of theoperator.

Another object or" my invention is to prowide a transmitting instrumentwhich is adapted for use with present day methods of commercialtelegraphy.

A further object of my invention. is to provide an automatic switch in atelegraph this kind-Wither resilient i levers 22 (Figd).

1 7, is supported upon lily inventionalso includes novel features .ofconstruction which willv be more fully pointed out in the, followingspecification and claims. i

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the best formof mydevice at present known to me, drawings, Fig. l is proved telegraphinstrument; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation side elevation of thekeys forsending dashes; Fig, 4 is a section taken on the line 44 of l ig. 1;Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the of the same; Fig, 3 is a detailReferring to the a plan View of my 1mautomatic switch, partially insection; Fig.

6 is a central, vertical section through the motor; F 7 is a detailperspective view of the pawl for stopping the mechanism, to gether withthe supporting arms therefor; Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8+8of Fig. 3, and Fig. '9 is a line 9-9 of Fig. 3.

My device is supported inla frame consisting of abuse plate 10 formedwith pairs of standards 11 and 12. A series of keys 13 to 17, inclusive,are adaptedto be ma:

nipulated to send dots, each key being ar;

section taken: a on r the,

ranged to control mechanism for sending a I different number of shortimpulses. The several keys 13 to 17 inclusive arepivotally supportedupon a transverse rod 18 secured at its ends in the standards 11, and aseries of collars .19 several ke s in proper spaced relationonthe rod18.

igidly connected with the several keys and extending across the top ofthe instrument from the rod 18 is a series of bars 20 which are normallysupported at their free ends upon shoulders The levers 22 are tilts ablycarried upon a transverse rod 23 in the frame and :1 lug 24; oneachofsaid levers is adapted, when the lever is tilted, to support the :bar 20in raised position.

A shaft 25 carrying a series of pinions 26 extends between the standards11, being journaled therein. Fast on the shaft25 ad: jacent to one ofthe standards 11 is a ratchet 27 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 28. The

are provided to maintain the 21 formed on small latter ipawl, as clearlyshown n Figs. 1 and a pair ofarms 29 which ,upan the red 18 at a endsecured to the short impulses by manner. The key 57 is adapted tobeclosed formed with a cross bar 30 near the opposite end, the bar 30being arranged to normally rest upon the upper edges of the bars 20. Asmall coiled spring 31 is secured at its upper end to the bar 30 and atits lower end to a transverse rod 32. The spring 31 thus normallymaintains the cross bar 30 height by suitable set screws 37.

Fast on one end of the shaft 25 is a cam wheel 38 adapted to actuate aswitch bar 39. The latter bar is pivoted in obliquely inclined positionuponv a pin 40 and maintained in contact with the periphery of the wheel38 by a spring 41. A small contact plunger 42 is'n'iaintained inextended position by a compression spring 43 in the bar 39. Mountedopposite the end of the plunger 4-2 is a contact screw ist supportedupon an insulatedconductor 45. \Vhen the wheel rotates, the upper end ofthe bar 39 is vi brated to make andbreak'the circuit between the plungert2 and contact 4st.

To rotate the shaft 25 when the keys 13 to 17, inclusive aremanipulated, I provide a sirino actuated motor 46 ri s. 1 2 and 6. Q 3 jo J lhis motor consists of a drum 454 mounted to revolve inthe standards12 and having an, gear 419 axial shaft 4-8 connected by a large and apinion 50 with the shaft 25. Rigidly Shaft 48 withinthe drum 47 is aratchet wheel 51 which adapted to be normally engaged. by 47. A largeconvolute spring 53 is fastened at its outer end to the drum 4'? and atits inner end to an inwardly projecting hub 54 on one ofthe standards12. To adapt the spring 53 to be wound by a. crank 55, "the drum l'i isprovided with a threaded stud 56 extending through the outer standard12.

The stud 56 is adapted to receive the crank 55 which has a threadedbore. Thus, by manipulating the crank 55 the drum 4:? may be rotated towind the spring 53,,the pawl 52 being arranged to run free on theratchet wheel 51 during spring 53 has been wound, it will tend to rotatethe shaft 48 by means of the pawl 52 which now engages the teeth of theratchet wheel 51 on the shaft 48. The shaft 25 is thus normallymaintained under such a torque as to tend to rotateit in the directionindicated by arrows in Figs. 4 and 5, rotation being normally preventedby the pawl 28 n engagement with the ratchet 27.

Keys 57 and 58 mounted on one end of the base plate are provided. tosend dashes or manipulation in the usual a pawl 52 on the drum thewinding. hen the by vertical pressure while the key 58 is actuated byhorizontal pressure, these keys be ing provided so that operatorsaccustomed to either motion can manipulate the present device withfacility. The keys 57 and 58 are pivoted upon pins 59 and 60,respectively the circuits being closed by engagement of contact screws61 and 62 on said keys with stationary contacts 63 and Get,respectively. Proper spacing of the contacts or points may be maintainedby suitable adjustment of set screws 65. The circuits are normallymaintained open by adjust-able com r ion springs 66. The {QYS 57 and 58and automatie switch bar 39 are adapted to be con-- n adapted to controlmechanism for sending 2 to 6 short nnpulses. These keys being identical,the operation of all of them will be understood from adescription of theoperation of one. The operation of the key by which four dots aretransmitted, is as fol lows: lVhen' the key 15 is depressed from fullline to dotted line position shown in Figure 4; the bar is tilted so toraise the bar 30 together with the pawl 28 releasing the ratchet27 andshaft 25. The motor 4L6 immediately turns the shaft in the direction tand 5. Simultaneously with tilting of the bar 20, the arm (which isnormally in a position to hold the rack 34: out of mesh with the pinion26) will be moved substantially longitudinally to cause the rack 34 toengage the pinion26. As the pinion 26 t'Ot-zltQS, the rack 34 is carriedupward while the dog 24 (being in dotted line position) supports thefree end of the bar 20 to hold the pawl 28 out of mesh with the ratchet27. The rack 34 in its upward movement new strikes the lever 22 andraises said lever to horizontal position. allowing the bar 20 to moveback upon the shoulder 21 and simultaneously permitting the pawl 28 toengage the ratchet 27. Rotation of the shaft 34 is withdrawn upon thedog 24, the rack 26 by the from engagement with the pinion action of thespring 31 and gravity; The rack 3 finally falls upon ll'S support 25 tostarting position. 7

The number of impulses transnntted each time a key is depressed. isdependent upon the are through which the shaft 25 carrying the cam wheelis allowed to rotate. Then 39, the circuit between the plunger l2 andscrew 44-.is closed to send a short impulse.

thus

indicated by arrows in Figs,

is thus stopped and the lever 20. being no longer supported It will nowbe evident that the number of impulses transmitted"when anyone of thekeys 13 lo 17 are manipulated dependent upon the height'of the supportfor the particularract arm The key 13, which when actuated, causes twodots to be sent, is thusarranged with the support '35 elevated by thescrew 37 so that the cam wheel 38 is only allowed to turn a distance oftwo notches on its periphery before the rack 04- strikes the lever 22 tostop rotation of the shaft 25 carrying the wheel 38. The height of theseveral supports '35 beneath the keys 14:, 16 and 17 is so regulated bythe screws 37 that three impulses will be sent when the key ll isdepressed, while the keys 1,6 and 17 arejseverally adapted to controlthe sending of five and six impulses, respectively.

The keys 5'? and 58 are adapted to be struck by the thumb of theoperator in the usual manner to send either a single short impulse orthe desired number of long impulses or dashes. Any required series ofdots may be sent by manipulating a single one of the'keys 13=to 17,inclusive.

An importantfeature of my device is the formation and arrangement of theautomatic circuit closer consisting of the switch bar 39 provided withthe resilient plunger 42. The sp'ringtS allows the plunger to remain infirm contact with the stationary contact -14.- during the sending ofeach impulse. The spring 43 causes the plunger 42to strike thestationary contact with a touclithat closely resembles that-obtained byproper manual operation of a key. Unusual distinctness is thusobtainedso that even when messages are sent with great rapidity they can bereceived with facility.

Obviously, any desired or suitable type of motor may be substituted forthe motor 46 with-out departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

1. In a telegraph transmitting instrument, a normally stationary shaft,means for intermittently rotating said shaft, a switch bar adapted to bevibrated, means operatively connecting said shaft with said bar, aseries of keys, means severally connecting said keys with said shaftwhereby said shaft is allowed to I rotate through predetermineddifferent angles when the several keys are manipulated and means undercontrol of the several keys for positively stopping rotation of saidshaftupon the completion of predetermined combinations of vibrationsofsaid bar.

2. In a telegraph transmitting instrument, a single cam wheel, means forintermittently rotating said wheel, a switch bar adapted to be vibratedby rotation of said wheel, a series of keys, and means severallyconnecting are said keys with said wheel whereby said a shaft, means forintern'iittently rotating said shaft, a switch bar adapted to bevibratetl, means operatively connecting said shaft with said bar, aseries of keys, a ratchet wheel on said actuated by said keys to engageand discu gage said wheel, and means severally con nectingsaid keys withsaid shaft whereby said shaft is 'a-llowed'to rotate dife fcrent angulardistances when the several. keys are manipulated.

4. In a telegraph transmitting instrument, a shaft, a series of pinionsfast on said shaft, a switch adapted to be actuated by said shaft, aseries of keys, racks severally connect said keys withsaid pinions,means for turning said shaft when any of said keys are manipulated, andmeans operable by said racks to stop rotation of said shaft after thesame has turned *a pre-[ determined different angle upon themanipulation of the several keys.

5. In a telegraph transmittinginstrument, a shaft, a series of pinionsfast on said shaft. means for rotating said shaft, a switchadapted to beactuated by said shaft, a series of keys, racks arranged to severallyconnec said keys'with said pinions, a ratchet on said shaft, a pawlarranged to normally engage said ratchet, means for-disengaging saidpawl to 11 ermit rotation of said shaft when any of saidkeys aremanipulated, and means operable by said racks to cause-said pawl to stoprotation of said shaft after the same has turned a pre-determineddifferent angle for each of said keys.

6. In a telegraph transmitting instrument, a shaft, a series of pinionsfast on said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a ratchet and pawlarranged to normally prevent rotation of said shaft, a switch adapted tobe actuated by said shaft, a series of keys. racks arranged to severallyconnect said keys with said pinions, dogs adapted to hold said pawl outof engagement with said ratchet and to permit rotation'of said shaftwhen any of said keys are manipulated, and means connected to said dogsand operable by said racks to stop rotation of said shaft after the samehas turned a predetermined different angle for each of said keys.

7. In a telegraph instrument, a normally stationary shaft, a series ofmanually operable keys, means for rotating said shaft when any of saidkeys are manipulated, a switch bar adapted to be vibrated, meansoperatively connecting said shaft with said bar, pinions on said shaft,racks severally connecting said keys with said pinions, and dogs adaptedto be actuated by said racks to shaft,'a pawl adapted to be arranged to3 and paiwl bar, pinions on said pawl to stop rotation of said stoprotation of said shaft when the same has been rotated predetermineddifferent angles for the several keys.

8. In a telegraph instrument, a normally stationary shaft, a series ofmanually operable keys, means for rotating said shaft when any of saidkeys are manipulated, a switch bar adapted to be vibrated, meansoperativelyconnecting said shaft with said shaft, racks severallyconnecting said keys with said pinions, a ratchet and pawl arranged tonormally prevent rotationof said shaft, and dogs adapted to be actuatedby said. racks to cause said shaft when said shaft has been rotatedthrough a predetermined different angle for each of said keys.

9. In a transmitting instrument, a frame, a manually operable keypivotally supported in said frame, a horizontal shaftjournaled in saidframe, means tending to rotate said shaft, a pinion and a ratchet wheelfast on said shaft, a switch bar, means for vibrating saidbaroperatively connected to said shaft, a pawl normally disposed to preventrotationof said shaft by engagement wlth said ratchet wheel, a dogarranged to maintain said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet whensaid key is manipulated, a lever on said dog, a rack pivotally connectedto said key and adapted to be moved into engagement with said pinionwhen said key is manipulated, said rack being positioned to strike saidlever under the action of said pinion and thereby allow said pawl tostop rotation of said shaft after said key has been manipulated.

10. In a telegraph instrument, a normally stationary shaft, a series ofkeys, means for rotating said shaft through predetermined differentangles when the several keys are manipulated, a switch operativelyconnected to said shaft, stationary and resilient contact elementsarranged on said switch to be pressed one upon the other when said shaftis rotated and means under control of the several keys for positivelystopping rotation of said shaft upon the turning thereof through apredetermined angular distance when each key is manipulated.

11. In a telegraph instrument, the combination with a series of keys anda single cam wheel, of means for rotating said wheel throughpredetermined different angles when the several. keys are manipulated, aseries of identical camming surfaces at regular intervals on said wheel.a switch adapted to be actuated by said camming surfaces and stationaryand resilient contact elements arranged on said switch to be pressed oneupon the other when said wheel is rotated.

12-. In a telegraph transmitting instrument, a mechanically operatedswltch comprising, a pivoted bar. a plunger projecting transverselyfrom, said bar, resilient means for normally maintaining said plunger inextended position, a stationary contact element disposed opposite saidplunger, and

means for vibrating said bar to cause the proyectmg end of said plungerto implnge agalnst said contact element.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name to thisspecification.

WILLIAM D. COOPER.

